View source for Messina (1282-85) ducat Fr-654

[[Image:Messina c1282 ducat obv Goldberg 4106.jpg|300px|thumb|Goldberg sale 41, lot 4106]]
[[Image:Messina c1282 ducat rev Goldberg 4106.jpg|300px|thumb|photo courtesy Ira & Larry Goldberg]]

This specimen was lot 4106 in Goldberg sale 41 (Beverly Hills, May 2007), where it sold for $20,700. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "Messina. Ducat or Oncia, ND. Ref. Spahr Collection (Leu) M & M Mar 1987 Lot 467, Realized 9,430 CHF. Constanza and Pietro III of Aragon, 1282-1285. Obv: Arms in center with two outer circles of legends: Inner Leg: + .P. D.DEI. GRA. ARAGON. SICIL. REX., outer leg: +. SUMMA. POTENCIA. EST. INDEO. Reverse: Uncrowned eagle right with two circles of legends. Inner leg: +COSTA. DEI. GRA. ARAG. SICIL. REG; outer leg: + XPS.VINCIT.XPS.REGNAT. SPX. IMPAT. Sharply struck and well centered. Very Rare. NGC graded MS-63. The history of Sicily at this time is one of constant foreign rule. The Sicilian natives in 1282 rose up against the Angevin rulers and briefly attained their independence. The Pope rejected their independence, so the citizens, desperate for some help, called upon Peter of Aragon to help. He arrived in five days, consolidated his power, and subjugated the ciizens for his own ends." Aragonese rule became Spanish rule on the death of Ferdinand the Catholic in 1516.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW, this specimen 4.33 grams. 

''Catalog reference:'' Fr-654; Biaggi#1301 (Rarity 3).

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, ''Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed.,'' Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Goldberg, Ira, and Larry Goldberg, ''Goldberg Sale 41: the Pre-Long Beach Sale,'' Beverly Hills: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2007.

''Link to:''
* [[Naples (1277-85) salut d'or Fr-808]]
* [[Venice (1343-54) zecchino Fr.1221]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1282]]
* return to coins of [[Italy, Naples & Sicily]]

[[Category:Gold ducats of Europe]][[Category:Selections from Goldberg sale 41]]